W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Leadership key to Foundation Academy’s success. SEE PAGE 1B.
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 18
Seniors boogie at prom Maxey Community Center hosted its Senior Prom for east Winter Garden residents. SEE 9A.
YOUR TOWN
TO THE MAX
HAMLIN HOEDOWN SET FOR SATURDAY Don your cowboy boots and hats: The Hamlin Hoedown returns this weekend. This year’s event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in the Hamlin green space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. Mosey on down for a familyfriendly day filled with pony rides, a barnyard petting zoo and the toe-tapping tunes of DJ Renee. Engage in heartwarming crafts, games and good ol’ fashioned farm fun. For more, visit hamlinfl.com.
SOUTHERN CROSS PLANS FUNDRAISER
Sam Albuquerque
Despite finding success in Los Angeles as a video producer, Zach Maxwell, aka Chef Max, found a passion for the kitchen during the COVID-19 lockdown. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
LEVELED UP
Meet G3, the company leading downtown Ocoee’s revitalization The Mount Dora-based company has been tapped to implement the city’s vision for its downtown core. SEE PAGE 2A.
REAL ESTATE High school gamers unlock achievements, compete for hardware at the FASA PlayVS state championships, held Saturday, April 27, at Windermere High. SEE PAGE 1B.
A Roper Reserve estate topped all Winter Garden sales from April 15 to 21. SEE PAGE 8A.
Southern Cross Service Dogs will host the second annual Always Beside You Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at Waldorf Astoria Orlando, 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando. The celebrity golf tournament will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday. For those golfing or attending the gala, a welcome reception with special performances will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, guests can enjoy a pool party with live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the gala, which starts at 5:30 p.m. The event, which began in 2023, aims to help raise funds to provide service dogs for veterans in need. More than 500 attendees supported the event in its first year. The gala will include a delectable dinner, performances, a live auction, a silent auction, cocktails and an opportunity to learn more about Southern Cross and its mission. For more information on the event, visit SouthernCrossServiceDogs. org or email Matt@ AlwaysBesideYou.org.